Music to Our Ears!
We have thought for many years that the beauty of the Phoenix Auditorium, it's unique architecture and marvelous acoustics were made for live performance.  Last May we presented three wonderful concerts at The Haven with Shari Ulrich, Edith Wallace and B-3.  The response, from people on the island and at The Haven, was wonderful.  All this has served as impetus to offer more, and with the assistance of many friends, Graemme Brown, Colleen Switzer, Laurie Kelley and Scott Poole in particular, we are putting together a fall schedule of exceptional concerts.

Confirmed at this time are Christine Kane (October 4), Chuck Pyle (October 18), Tom Kimmel (November 21) and Eric Bibb (November 27).  We will send you a "Special Edition" Update in the next few weeks with more information about the Fall Concert Series, and some special Rooms 'n' Music packages for music aficionados wanting to have a musical holiday!  For now, check out these artist websites:
 

www.christinekane.com

www.chuckpyle.com

www.tomkimmel.com

www.ericbibb.com

Going, Going...Here!
Summer is slowly and surely drawing itself to a close.  Take a few moments to check out what's coming in August, then close your eyes, imagine being here for a warm Gabriola sunset evening  and be in touch!

• Journey to Self Level II (August 16-22)  Re-visit the mysteries of past generations with Maria Gomori through elements of psychodrama, Gestalt, guided imagery, accessing the unconscious, sculpting and triadic modes of being  all within the framework of the family system and the special principles underlying Virginia Satir's approach to the human being.
• Passion for Couples (August 22-25)  David Raithby and Sandey McCartney bring the dynamics of their relationship to this active and engaging course designed to help each partner bring their strength and uniqueness alive and more fully into contact, and thus to create a passionate, energetic and meaningful relationship.  This 8-session course is alive with information, discussion, dialogue, experiential activities, energetic release work, and tools and skills for passionate relating.
• Come Alive (August 25-30)  This course continues to be the cornerstone of The Haven, and for good reason  it is all about:
• people who have difficulty knowing their feelings,
• people wanting better communication skills,
• people in life transitions, looking for new directions,
• people seeking enhancement of their sense of life meaning,
• people feeling "burned out" in their work or relationships,
• people desiring to better know themselves,
...coming Alive!
• Addictions  Choiceful Transformation (August 30-September 1)  Set aside the "good/bad" of addictions, identify the qualities, characteristics and nature of the addictive process and take a fresh look with Cathy and Ernie McNally and Wendy Huntington at the potential of an addictive nature when it is used for positive, choiceful transformation.
• NLP Master Practitioner(September 1-18)  Steve Davis has offered his insights, training and personal touch to this course for several years.  He has decided to take a break for the next few years at least, making this the last opportunity for the foreseeable future to learn with this remarkable, gentle, man.
• Mirroring: Reflecting, Reacting, Relating (September 5-8)  Update the messages contained within your personal and "purchased" mirrors with Linda Nicholls and Joann Peterson.  Explore the impact of these life-distortions and the development of personal values, creativity, and willingness to risk change and to make choice.  This is an excellent opportunity to learn about direct, honest, personal mirroring and use this style of feedback as a practice ground for nurturing honest, intimate relationships.
• Women & Sexuality(September 12-15)  Joann Peterson and Peggy Merlin invite you to discover or reawaken pathways to pleasure; examine personal beliefs, judgments and decisions about sex; evaluate the degree to which generational messages shape current behaviors; enhance body awareness and acceptance; clarify personal preferences; practice communicating more skillfully; heal and integrate sexual traumas, all in a celebration of the Feminine.
• Transforming Fear and Anxiety (September 12-15) Learn what fear is and how it works, and gain awareness of fear at a body level through a series of lectures, discussion, breath and energy work, visualization, individual time, and experiential exercises with David Raithby.

Staying on Course
We are continuing to expand the range of courses and topics explored at The Haven.  Recent additions to our schedule that offer leading-edge ideas and experiences include: the already-soldout Warrior Monk in September; Youth and Health, coming October 11 -13  an absorbing re-look at a variety of scientifically proven approaches to bringing "youth to health" with C. Norman Shealy, M.D. Ph.D., America's foremost alternative medicine physician, creator of TENS, founder of North America's first and most successful comprehensive pain and stress management clinic, and founder of the American Holistic Medical Association and of the world's first graduate program in Energy Medicine.  And we have just added Tools for the Soulwith noted author and facilitator Philip Winkelmans, slated for November 17 to 22, dealing with a fascinating mix of metaphisical counseling self-help techniques.

More in Store
The creation of The Haven Store has truly been a labour of love.  Almost without exception every member of our staff has contributed to making it a reality.  And we are unabashed proud parents as we hear from so many how much they enjoy the result.  We have connected with several talented Gabriola carvers, painters, potters and jewellers to give visitors to The Haven an opportunity to see their work up-close and take a unique piece of the island home.  We are also pleased that several of these artists work with us.  Evelyn Thompson, Andy Bryce, Roxanne Van Haarlem, Ruth Day, Nora Mikus and Roberta Birkett all have their creations on display in the store.

In addition to giftware, journals and convenience goods, we have also expanded our selection of books, music and clothing.  And we are interested in your thoughts and ideas to help us better serve you.  Drop a line, or email us at store@haven.ca and let us know what works for you.

Just Quickly...
We often hear from people that come to The Haven how much they value attending Staying Alive.  These sessions, facilitated by Dip.C. graduates living in the community, are a wonderful way to stay in touch, continue to learn, explore new ideas, and connect with new and old friends.  Our website will give you all the information you need to contact the leaders in your area.  There are groups in several cities, and we now have one in our own back yard!  Carol Ames and Dianne Anderson will be bringing their own unique mix of experience, care and "joie du vivre" to Staying Alive on Gabriola starting this fall.  Get in touch with them for more about when and where!

Lou Ward has made her mark at The Haven in ways we will not soon forget.  Lou's charm, spirit and care have helped make many visitor's time with us a memorable and personal experience.  Her ever-present inquiring mind has led to changes and improvements in many of our ways we approach Reception and Conference.  Lou will be stepping back, temporarily for now, to attend school full-time in the fall.  Though she will continue to work with us, her demanding class and study schedule will mean far fewer and more creative hours at The Haven.  Lou's unique character will be missed and never replaced in quite the same way.  We wish this special woman well, and look forward to whatever our future brings together.

The Association for Humanistic Psychology marked their 40^th anniversary recently with a reflection on four decades of significant events and the leaders in the field that made it happen.  We were pleased to see Ben and Jock included in the company of Rollo May, Jim Bugental, Fred Massarik and so many others that have made significant contributions to Humanistic Psychology.

And a very special thanks and appreciation to Sylvia Edlund.  The next time you pause to relax and browse through books and CD's in The Haven Store, you can also thank Sylvia.  In the midst of her full-life schedule of travels, studies, participating and assisting in courses, she somehow found the time to create the comfy cushion now situated in the store's bay window!

Just in!  Jock and Ben returned from Vancouver with rave reviews about the Greg Gurel production of Grassroots Project 02 August 10th at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts..  This evening of "song, music, dance, thoughtful words & funny words" featuring Greg, Jock, et al was best summed in this quote "It was like Dance and Games for Adults!"

That's a wrap for this Update.  Next month we'll ask you what your thoughts and ideas are on a range of topics as The Haven continues to grow, along with more news and information about the courses, events and people that are The Haven.

Take care, enjoy yourself, and each other, and be in touch soon.